Photo courtesy of Paul Sancya | AP Photo
The first 1/3 of the 2022 college football season is in the books and while some familiar faces will re-appear in this year’s run toward the Heisman Trophy.
Next man up
Caleb Williams (QB, USC): 1,054 passing yards, 9 TDs, 0 interceptions, 65.6% completion rate
5. Blake Corum (RB, Michigan)
Stats: 64 carries, 478 rushing yards, 9 TDs, 7.5 yard per carry
There’s no doubt that Corum is the best running back in the nation. He showed it last year as he led the Wolverines to the Big Ten title and is on-pace to absolutely destroy his great numbers from last year. Corum is the guiding force when the Michigan passing game is lacking and he’ll need to have another big day Saturday if Michigan to escape Iowa City with a victory.
4. Bryce Young (QB, Alabama)
Stats: 1,029 passing yards, 13 TDs, 2 INTs, 68.6% completion rate
Due to the lack of true competition for the Crimson Tide, the defending Heisman Trophy winner falls to fourth but you could flip him to the top or anywhere in the top four with his ability to be a pure playmaker. Young will have to utilize his play-making ability to the max over the next three weeks with key SEC matchups against Arkansas, Texas A&M and Tennessee.
3. Michael Penix Jr. (QB, Washington)
Stats: 1,388 passing yards, 12 TDs, 1 INT, 64.3% completion rate
The surprise of the early season so far, the former Indiana QB is shining in the Pac-12 and he’s got Washington off to a 4-0 start and a No. 15 ranking in the latest AP Poll. He’s first in the nation in passing yards, which should continue to skyrocket with the Huskies heading down to the Rose Bowl to play UCLA Friday (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). He may be a little high this early in the year but there’s no way that you can deny Penix a look to head to New York come December.
2. C.J. Stroud (QB, Ohio State)
Stats: 1,222 passing yards, 16 TDs, 1 INT, 70.5% completion rate
When the Buckeyes’ offense is clicking on all cylinders, it’s one of the most-electrifying viewings in college football. Even with the loss of Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson last season, Stroud may have upped this offense even more than where they were last year. Next up for Stroud and the Ohio State offense — the pesky Rutgers’ defense.
1. Stetson Bennett (QB, Georgia)
Stats: 1,224 passing yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT, 74.2% completion rate
The numbers not might be all that gaudy but Bennett went under-appreciated by many last year and is continuing to make people pay for it. He makes it so easy to move the ball down the field with his arm, which opens up the power running game to punch it through opposing defenses and into the end zone without contest. Missouri and Auburn await the Bulldogs, which should be more easy pickings to pad the numbers for our current Heisman favorite.
